Apparatus for storing flexible webs on the cores of takeup reels

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for convoluting exposed and copied photographic films on the cores of takeup reels has an advancing mechanism which transports successive films along a given path so that the leaders of successive films can be engaged by the gripper of a pivotable arm serving to transfer the leader of the film in the path toward the peripheral surface of the core of an empty takeup reel. The reel has no flanges or is provided with a single flange carrying or adjacent a fixedly mounted or movable protuberance which defines with the peripheral surface of the core a gap for the leader of the film. Once the leader has entered the gap and the takeup reel is set in rotary motion, the film is wound onto the protuberance and is thus affixed to the core. The length of the protuberance is less than the axial length of the core but exceeds one-fourth of such axial length.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for convoluting websof flexible material on the cores of takeup reels, and more particularlyto improvements in those parts of such winding or convoluting apparatuswhich serve to affix the leaders of webs to the cores of takeup reels.Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements inapparatus which can be used with advantage in arrangements for replacingrolls of customer films in copying machines. Arrangements of such typeare disclosed in commonly owned copending patent application Ser. No.264,311 filed Nov. 28, 1988 by for "Method of and apparatus forreplacing rolls of customer films in copying machines".

The copending patent application Ser. No. 264,311 discloses aphotographic copying machine wherein the images of successive filmframes on a long web of spliced-together exposed and developed customerfilms are copied while successive films are advanced stepwise from asupply reel on a first driven mandrel toward a takeup reel on a seconddriven mandrel. The core of the takeup reel is designed for convenientattachment of the leader of the web, and the machine is further providedwith a pivotable arm which serves to grip the leader of a web in apredetermined portion of the path for the web and to transfer theproperly gripped leader to a position for attachment to the core of anempty takeup reel. Each takeup reel has two flanges which are disposedat the ends of the core and one of which supports a protuberancedefining with the peripheral surface of the core a gap for reception ofthe leader of a web which is to be convoluted onto the core. Theprotuberance has a sloping surface which causes the leader of the web toslide sideways toward and partially into a recess in the other flange ofthe takeup reel. The web is thereupon caused to move laterally towardthe one flange in response to rotation of the core so that a portion ofthe web slides into the gap between the core and the protuberance andthe next-following portions of the web are wound around theprotuberance. Reference may be had also to commonly owned GermanOffenlegungsschrift No. 30 43 069 of Payrhammer.

A drawback of the just described takeup reel is that it is rather heavy,bulky and not sufficiently versatile. This is due to the fact that thereel must be provided with two flanges one of which carries theprotuberance and the other of which is formed with the recess oppositethe protuberance. The mutual spacing of the flanges is fixed so that thetakeup reel is capable of storing webs having a single predeterminedwidth. Still further, the manipulation of such reels presents problems,especially if they are surrounded by a relatively small number ofconvolutions, i.e., if they are not used to capacity.

Modified apparatus for attaching the leaders of webs of photographicmaterial to the cores of takeup reels are disclosed in commonly ownedGerman Pat. No. 33 39 618 granted to Heidrich et al.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatusof the type wherein webs of flexible material are to be stored inconvoluted condition on the cores of takeup reels and to provide suchapparatus with novel and improved takeup reels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a takeup reel which canproperly store flexible webs of photosensitive or other material eventhough it is devoid of flanges or is provided with a single flange.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedcore for use in the above outlined takeup reel.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichcan manipulate wide and narrow webs with the same facility and which canbe used as a superior substitute for conventional apparatus in existingphotographic copying or like machines.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichcan be designed to maintain an empty or fresh takeup reel in a positionof readiness while another reel is in the process of collecting a web offlexible material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmethod of automatically affixing the leaders of successive webs offlexible material to the cores of successive takeup reels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a photographic copyingmachine which embodies the above outlined apparatus using the aboveoutlined takeup reels.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whoseoperation can be automated to any desired extent and wherein the leadersof relatively narrow or relatively wide webs can be affixed to the coresof identical takeup reels.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein theleaders of successive webs can be affixed to the cores of thecorresponding reels in a time-saving manner and without unduedeformation and/or breakage of the leaders.

Another object of the invention is to provide a takeup reel which isconstructed in such a way that it can maintain the convoluted web in anoptimum position even though it is provided with a single flange or hasno flanges at all.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmethod of preparing the above outlined takeup reel for attachment of theleader of a web to its core.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is embodied in an apparatus for storing elongated flexiblewebs in convoluted condition, particularly for storing webs whichcontain a photosensitive material and have accessible leaders. Typicalexamples of such webs are exposed or unexposed photographic films andstrips of photographic paper. The apparatus comprises advancing rolls orother suitable means for advancing successive webs along a predeterminedpath having a discharge end so that the leaders of successive websassume predetermined positions at the discharge end of the path, atleast one rotary driving member (such as a horizontal shaft) which isadjacent the discharge end of the path, a takeup reel which has a coreremovably coupled to the driving member and having an unobstructed firstend, a second end and a peripheral surface, a protuberance which can besaid to form part of the reel and is adjacent the second end and extendstoward but short of the first end of the core so that the peripheralsurface of the core and the protuberance define a gap which is open atits end facing the first end of the core, and means (e.g., a pivotablearm and a suitable gripper on the arm) for transferring the leader ofthe web in the path from the discharge end of such path into the gap sothat the web is convoluted onto the peripheral surface and overlies theprotuberance of the reel in response to rotation of the driving member.

The protuberance preferably extends from the second end toward the firstend of the core a distance not less than one-fourth the distance betweenthe first and second ends of the core.

The reel can further comprise a single flange which is adjacent thesecond end of the core.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the apparatus, the peripheralsurface of the core has a substantially roof-shaped portion which isadjacent the gap and includes a first facet which is first to contact aleader during transfer of the leader into the gap and which has anorientation promoting a lateral movement of the leader in the gap awayfrom the flange, and a second facet which is contacted by the leader inthe gap subsequent to contact between the leader and the first facet andhas an orientation promoting a lateral movement of the leader toward theflange. The facets of the substantially roof-shaped portion of theperipheral surface of the core can be disposed at opposite sides of theprotuberance, as seen in the circumferential direction of the core. Theroof-shaped portion of the peripheral surface can further comprise athird facet which is disposed between the first and second facets in aplane substantially parallel to the axis of the core. The third facet isnearer to the protuberance than the first and second facets.

That portion of the protuberance which is in contact with a web duringwinding of the web onto the core is preferably designed to have a highcoefficient of friction. For example, such portion of the protuberancecan have one or more sockets and an insert of friction generatingmaterial (e.g., silicon rubber) in each socket. The protuberance canfurther include a suitably inclined web guiding surface which confrontsthe gap, and a convex surface which faces away from the gap. The justdiscussed configurations of the core and protuberance promotepredictable winding of the web around the core and around theprotuberance as well as predictable entry of the leaders of successivewebs into the gap.

The apparatus preferably further comprises guide means for the websupstream or ahead of the takeup reel. Such guide means can be disposedbetween the discharge end of the path and the driving member for thecore of the reel and can include an idler roller which is parallel tothe core receiving motion from the driving member. The guide meansfurther comprises a collar which extends radially outwardly beyond theroller and is engageable by that marginal portion of the leader of a webwhich is remote from the flange when the leader enters the gap. Thecollar preferably extends radially beyond the idler roller a distancewhich is approximately one-third of the width of a web.

The protuberance can be fixedly mounted on the flange of the takeupreel. Alternatively, the apparatus can further comprise means for movingthe protuberance between a first position in which the protuberance andthe peripheral surface of the core define the aforementioned gap and atleast one second position in which the protuberance is remote from thecore so that it does not interfere with winding of a web onto theperipheral surface of the core. The moving means can comprise means formoving the protuberance to the first position prior to transfer of theleader of a web from the discharge end of the path into the gap. Theflange can be provided with an opening and the moving means can bedesigned to move the protuberance through the opening of the flangeduring movement of the protuberance between the first and secondpositions.

The moving means can include a sleeve-like element which is mounted onand is movable axially of the driving member. The protuberance sharesthe movements of the sleeve-like element and the moving means of suchapparatus further comprises means for shifting the sleeve-like elementaxially of the driving member. The shifting means can comprise adouble-acting fluid-operated (e.g., pneumatic) motor and a secondelement which is reciprocable by the motor in parallelism with the axisof the driving member. One of the two elements can be provided with acircumferential groove and the other of these elements is then providedwith a follower which extends into the groove so that the sleeve-likeelement is compelled to share reciprocatory movements of the secondelement while remaining free to share rotary movements of the core andthe driving member.

In accordance with a modification, the moving means can comprise a leverwhich is pivotally mounted on and is thus rotatable with the flange ofthe takeup reel. The protuberance is provided on or forms an integralpart of the lever, and such moving means further comprises means forpivoting the protuberance and the lever between the first and secondpositions. The pivoting means can comprise a cam on the driving memberand a follower which is mounted on the flange, which is operativelyconnected with the lever and which tracks the cam. The operativeconnection between the follower and the lever can comprise a bell crankwhich is pivotally mounted on the flange of the takeup reel and has afirst arm carrying or constituting the follower and a second arm whichengages or is engageable with the lever. The cam can be rotatablymounted on the driving member and the apparatus then further comprisesmeans for holding the cam against movement with the driving memberpreparatory to pivoting of the lever so that the follower tracks the camin response to rotation of the flange by the driving member while theholding means prevents the cam from rotating with the driving member.The holding means can comprise a projection on the cam and a stop whichis movable into and from engagement with the projection. The lever ispreferably arranged to move its protuberance through the aforementionedopening in the flange of the takeup reel during movement of theprotuberance between its first and second positions. The pivoting meansof such apparatus preferably includes a stationary member (such as thehousing of a motor for the aforementioned stop) which can be mounted inthe frame of the improved apparatus adjacent the flange of the takeupreel.

The lever can be mounted on the flange for pivotal movement in a planewhich is tangential or nearly tangential to the core, and such lever isor can be disposed substantially at right angles to the plane of theflange in one of its positions (particularly in the first position ofthe protuberance). The moving means of such apparatus further comprisesa bearing for the lever, and the bearing is movable tangentially of thecore. The latter can be provided with a recess which receives theprotuberance in the first position of the lever. The web whose leader isdisposed in the gap is convoluted around the lever and is pinchedbetween the protuberance in the recess and the core so that the lever iskept against movement from the first position by the web which isconvoluted around it in response to tensioning of the web as a result ofrotation of the driving member and the core.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and itsmode of operation, together with additional features and advantagesthereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detaileddescription of certain specific embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is is a schematic elevational view of an apparatus which embodiesone form of-the invention and wherein the protuberances are fixedlymounted on the flanges of the respective takeup reels;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the core of one of thereels which are shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the core as seen in the directionof arrows from the line III--III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the core as seen in the directionof arrows from the line IV--IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the core which is shown in FIG. 2

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the protuberance of oneof the takeup reels which are shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partly elevational and partly central sectionalview of a takeup reel with a movable protuberance and of means formoving the protuberance relative to the core and flange of thecorresponding reel;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the core, a sectional view of theprotuberance and a front elevational view of an element of the means forshifting the protuberance relative to the core;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a portion of a third apparatuswherein the protuberance is movable by a lever which is pivotablymounted on the flange of the takeup reel; and

FIG. 10 is a partial plan and partial horizontal sectional view of theapparatus including the structure of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus which embodiesthe invention and serves to store elongated flexible webs 1 inconvoluted condition on takeup reels, such as the reels 6 and 7 in theleft-hand portion of FIG. 1. The apparatus comprises driven advancingrolls 75 which serve to advance successive webs 1 along an elongatedpath 2 and to bring successive webs 1 to a halt when the leader 1a ofthe web in the path 2 reaches the discharge end 2a of such path. Thisplaces the leader la into the range of a magnetically or otherwiseoperated gripper or tongs 10 on a pivotable arm 8, or into the range ofa similar gripper or tongs 11 on a pivotable arm 9. The gripper 10 canproperly locate the leader la of a web 1 with reference to the core 12of the reel 6, and the gripper 11 can properly locate the leader la of aweb with reference to the core 12 of the reel 7. The directions in whichthe arms 8 and 9 can pivot their grippers from the discharge end 2a ofthe path 2 to the positions shown in FIG. 1 are respectively indicatedby the arrows 8A and 9A. The arrows 6A and 7A respectively indicate thedirections in which the takeup reels 6 and 7 must be rotated by theirrespective driving members 16 in order to convolute the webs 1 onto thecorresponding cores 12.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 further comprises guide means for successivewebs 1. Such guide means is installed between the discharge end 2a ofthe path 2 and the cores 12 of the takeup reels 6, 7 and includes afirst fixedly mounted idler roller 3 at the discharge end 2a, a secondfixedly mounted idler roller 4 downstream of the idler roller 3, and adancer roll 5 which is movable between a retracted or inoperativeposition (indicated by broken lines, as at 5') and an operative position(shown by solid lines) to thereby provide the web 1 with a loop 1bintermediate the idler rollers 3 and 4. The idler roller 4 is adjacentor is integral with a collar 4a extending radially beyond the peripheralsurface of the roller 4 so as to hold the respective marginal portion ofa web 1 against sidewise or lateral movement toward the observer ofFIG. 1. It is preferred to select the diameters of the idler roller 4and collar 4a in such a way that the extent to which the collar 4aprojects radially beyond the peripheral surface of the idler roller 4equals or approximates one-third the width of the web 1 in the path 2.The idler rollers 3, 4 and the dancer roll 5 are mounted on or in theframe or housing 14 (see FIG. 7) of the improved apparatus. The meansfor moving the dancer roll 5 relative to the idler rollers 3, 4 cancomprise a lever or the like, not shown.

The manner in which successive frames of the web 1 in the path 2 arecopied in a photographic copying machine forms no part of the presentinvention. Reference may be had to the aforementioned copending patentapplication Ser. No. 264,311 and to the publications which are mentionedtherein. The same applies for the design of the mechanism for pivotingthe web transferring means including the arms 8, 9 and their grippers10, 11 in and counter to the directions which are indicated by thearrows 8A and 9A. The apparatus of FIG. 1 can operate with a single core6 or 7 and with a single web transferring arm 8 or 9. If the apparatusemploys two takeup reels, the reel 6 is maintained in a position ofreadiness while the reel 7 collects the intermittently advanced web 1,and the reel 7 is maintained in a position of readiness while the reel 6collects a web 1. A freshly filled takeup reel is replaced with a fresh(empty) reel while the other reel collects the respective web. When thegripper 10 or 11 assumes the position which is shown in FIG. 1, itmaintains the leader 1a of the respective web 1 in such position that aportion of the web extends along a straight path from the peripheralsurface of the idler roller 4 and substantially tangentially of the core12 of the respective takeup reel 6 or 7, or that the web is slightlydeflected in the region of the respective core 12. In other words, atsuch time the web 1 can bypass the peripheral surface of the respectivecore 12, it can be in a mere linear contact with the core, or it canoverlie a certain portion of the peripheral surface of the core.

The operation is as follows:

It is assumed that the advancing rolls 75 have advanced the leader 1a ofa web 1 into the discharge end 2a of the path 2. At such time, the tipof the leader la preferably extends somewhat to the left beyond thefirst idler roller 3 toward the roller 4. The dancer roll 5 is thenmaintained in the inoperative position 5' and the arm 8 or 9 is causedto move its gripper 10 or 11 to the discharge end 2a where the gripper10 or 11 is actuated (e.g., magnetically or mechanically) to engage theleader 1a before the arm 8 or 9 is pivoted to move its gripper 10 or 11in the direction of the arrow 8A or 9A. This causes the portion of theleader la between the idler roller 4 and the gripper 10 or 11 to extendsubstantially or exactly tangentially of the respective core 12. Theadvancing rolls 75 are caused to advance the web 1 along and beyond thepath 2 while the leader is being transferred by the gripper 10 or 11 soas to avoid undue tensioning and eventual breaking of the web. Thedancer roll 5 can be caused to leave its inoperative or retractedposition 5' as soon as it can no longer interfere with movement of thegripper 10 or 11 from the discharge end 2a of the path toward theposition which is shown in FIG. 1. The roll 5 then provides the web 1with a loop 1b which is disposed between the idler rollers 3, 4.

The gripper 10 or 11 causes the web 1 to penetrate into a gap G (seeFIG. 2) between the peripheral surface 12D (see FIG. 3) of therespective core 12 and a protuberance 13 on the single flange 20(FIG. 1) of the corresponding takeup reel 6 or 7. The manner in whichthe web 1 can penetrate into the gap G will be described below withreference to FIGS. 2 to 6. Once the web 1 has entered the gap G, thecorresponding takeup reel 6 or 7 is set in rotary motion in thedirection of arrow 6A or 7A. In order to ensure that the web 1 cannotleave the gap G, the length of the projection 13 preferably exceedsone-fourth the distance between the ends 12A and 12B of the respectivecore 12 (but such length is still considerably less than the distancebetween the ends 12A and 12B).

In order to convolute a relatively short portion of the web 1 behind itsleader 1a onto the core 12 and onto the respective protuberance 13(i.e., in order to affix the leader 1a to the respective core), the arm9 can be pivoted clockwise while the core 12 of the lower takeup reel 7is rotated in the direction of arrow 7A. On the other hand, the dancerroll 5 can be lifted from the operative position toward the level of theidler roller 4 while the takeup reel 6 is rotated in the direction ofarrow 6A in order to convolute a relatively short portion of a web 1onto the respective core 12 so that the leader 1a of such web isadequate to and cannot slide relative to the peripheral surface 12D (seeFIG. 3) of upper core 12 of FIG. 1. It normally suffices to cause a web1 to form not much more than one-half of a full convolution around theperipheral surface 12D of the respective core 12; this ensures that thefrictional engagement between the web and the core is sufficientlypronounced to prevent rotation of the core relative to the web. Thegripper 10 or 11 is thereupon caused to release the leader 1a becausethe web will be convoluted onto the respective core 12 in response toeach further angular movement of the reel 6 or 7 in the direction ofarrow 6A or 7A. This completes the attachment of the leader 1a of a web1 to the core 12 of the takeup reel 6 or 7.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a preferred form of a core 12 which can be usedin the takeup reel 6 or 7 of FIG. 1. The peripheral surface 12D of thiscore has a roof-shaped portion which is located opposite theprotuberance 13 (i.e., such roof-shaped portion is adjacent the gap G)and includes a first facet 12a, a second facet 12b and a third facet 12cbetween the facets 12a, 12b. The facet 12c is nearest the protuberance13 and the facets 12a and 12b can be said to be disposed at oppositesides of the protuberance, as seen in the circumferential direction ofthe peripheral surface 12D of the core 12. The leader 1a of a web 1which is engaged by the gripper 10 or 11 first contacts the facet 12awhose orientation is such that it slopes toward the axis of the core 12in a direction from the flange 20 toward the free end 12A of the core.Such orientation of the facet 12a ensures that the web portion whichengages the protuberance 13 and the facet 12a exhibits a tendency toslide from that end (12B) of the core 12 which is adjacent the flange 20toward the end 12A, i.e., the facet 12a induces the adjacent portion ofthe leader 1a of the web 1 to slide off the protuberance 13. The webportion which contacts the core 12 then engages the facet 12c which isdisposed substantially tangentially of the core 12 and is relativelyshort (see FIG. 5). The web 1 then engages the facet 12b whoseorientation is opposite that of the facet 12a , i.e., the facet 12btends to shift the web 1 sideways or laterally toward abutment of onemarginal portion of the web with the flange 20. This ensures that theweb slides into the gap G and is convoluted onto the peripheral surface12D as well as around the protuberance 13 in response to rotation of thecore 12 in a direction to wind the web onto the core.

The protuberance 13 has a convex surface 13b along which the web slidesduring engagement with the facet 12a of the core 12. It will be notedthat the convex surface 13b assists the web in sliding laterally in adirection away from the flange 20 and off the protuberance so that theweb can engage the facets 12c, 12b and can be induced, primarily by thefacet 12b, to enter the gap G while moving sideways toward the flange20. The convex surface 13b of the protuberance 13 faces away from thegap G and is adjacent a web guiding surface 13a which slopes in adirection toward the gap G and toward the flange 20 so as not to opposea lateral movement of the web 1 into the gap while the web engages thefacet 12b. It can be said that the facet 12a cooperates with the surface13b to promote a lateral movement of the web 1 away from the flange 20whereas the facets 12c, 12b cooperate with the guide surface 13a topromote a lateral movement of the web 1 in the opposite direction, i.e.,toward the flange 20 and hence into the gap G. Such movement of the web,first away from and thereupon toward the flange 20, takes place inresponse to rotation of the core 12.

FIG. 6 shows that the protuberance 13 has a socket 13d for an insert13c. The latter is made of a material (such as silicone caoutchouc)which has a very high coefficient of friction. If desired, theprotuberance 13 can be provided with several recesses or sockets fordiscrete inserts which serve to promote adherence of the web to thefront side of the protuberance, i.e., to that side around which the webis looped in response to rotation of the core 12.

FIG. 4 shows that the core 12 is formed with a recess or notch 12d whichensures predictable orientation of the core during engagement with therespective driving member 16. The position of the notch 12d is selectedin such a way that, if the flange 20 is not rigid with the core 12, thecore can be mounted on the driving member 16 only in an angular positionin which the roof-shaped portion 12a -12c of the peripheral surface 12Dof the properly mounted core is disposed opposite the protuberance 13and defines therewith the gap G. Thus, the core 12 and the convolutedweb 1 thereon can be detached from the driving member 16 while theflange 20 remains affixed to or is otherwise mounted on the drivingmember 16 or in the housing or frame 14. This simplifies themanipulation of the core and of the web thereon during removal from theapparatus of FIG. 1. Thus, the overall weight of the convoluted web andof the means supporting the convoluted web is reduced to a minimum.Secondly, the apparatus is less expensive because it need not befurnished with a large number of complex, heavy and expensive reels; allthat is necessary is to furnish a number of cores 12. If the flange 20is adequately secured to and shares the rotary movements of the drivingmember 16, the core 12 can be detachably secured to the flange 20 inlieu of being mounted directly on the driving member.

As described above, the web 1 which is to be affixed to a core 12 canmove laterally (first away from and thereupon toward the flange 20 sothat it can enter the gap G) in spite of the fact that the protuberance13 is or can be fixedly mounted in the apparatus, i.e., in that part ofthe reel 6 or 7 which need not be detached when a fully convoluted web 1is to be transferred from the position of FIG. 1 in order to provideroom for a fresh core 12 which is to be surrounded by the convolutionsof the next web.

The extent to which the web 1 can move laterally under the action of thefacet 12a in conjunction with the convex surface 13b of the protuberance13 is limited by the collar 4a. The latter is arranged to engage thatmarginal portion of the web 1 which is remote from the flange 20, i.e.,the collar 4a engages one marginal portion and the flange engages theother marginal portion of the web which is in the process of beingadvanced along the path 2 and to be convoluted on the core 12 of thetakeup reel 6 or 7. It goes without saying that the web 1 must be underat least some tension in order to be adequately held by the collar 4aand to be adequately guided for lateral movement, first by the facet 12ain conjunction with the convex surface 13b and thereupon by the facets12c, 12b and guide surface 13a . Once a portion of the web has enteredthe gap G, the facet 12c ensures that the web is adjacent the flange 20and forms a succession of convolutions which jointly form a rolladjacent the front side of the flange 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a portion of a modified apparatus, and moreparticularly a modified takeup reel and modified means for moving theprotuberance 19 of such reel relative to the flange 20 and core 21. Thedriving member 16 is a horizontal shaft which is rotatably journalled ina bearing (not shown) in the housing or frame 14 of the apparatus. Theshaft 16 extends through an internal partition 15 of the housing 14 andinto the axial bore or hole of the core 21. That portion of the shaft 16which extends through and beyond the housing 14 is surrounded by asleeve 17 and the latter is surrounded by a sleeve-like element 18having a washer-like follower 18a extending into a circumferentialgroove 23a of a wheel-shaped element 23 forming part of a means forshifting the element 18 and the follower 19 thereon between an operativeposition (note the position 19' of the follower 19) and an inoperativeor retracted position (note the position of the lower half of theelement 18 in FIG. 7). The groove 23a can be replaced with a groove inthe peripheral surface of the element 18, and the element 23 is thenprovided with a follower extending into the groove of the element 18.All that counts is to ensure that the protuberance 19 can be moved inparallelism with the axis of the shaft 16 between its operative andinoperative positions while the shaft 16 rotates the takeup reelincluding the flange 20 and the core 21.

The protuberance 19 can extend through an opening 20a of the flange 20so that it defines with the peripheral surface 21D of the core 21 anarrow gap G when the element 18 is caused to assume its operative orextended position (not the upper half of the element 18 in FIG. 7). Thewidth of the gap G preferably equals or even somewhat exceeds twice thethickness of a web (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) which is to beconvoluted on the core 21 when the takeup reel of FIGS. 7 and 8 replacesthe reel 6 or 7 of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the free endportion of the protuberance 19 is provided with a chamfered surface 19areplacing the web guiding surface 13a of the protuberance shown in FIG.6, i.e., the surface 19a guides protuberance 19 over the leader of a webwhile the protuberance is in motion toward the operative position 19'.When in the operative position 19', the protuberance 19 preferablyextends beyond the single flange 20 of the takeup reel by a distancewhich exceeds one-fourth the distance between the flange 20 and the freeend 21A of the core 12. For example, the length of that portion of theprotuberance 19 which projects beyond the flange 20 toward the free end21A of the core 21 can equal or approximate one-third of axial length ofthe core 21.

The means for shifting the sleeve 18 and the protuberance 19 between theoperative and inoperative positions further comprises a double-actingfluid-operated (e.g., pneumatic) motor 22 which is mounted at the innerside of the housing 14 and has a reciprocable output member 22a carryingthe element 23.

The means (not specifically shown) for non-rotatably but axially movablycoupling the element 18 to the shaft 16 can comprise a tongue and grooveconnection or any other suitable torque transmitting means. The controlsfor the motor 23 are designed in such a way that the protuberance 19 canbe extracted into or rearwardly beyond the opening 20a of the flange 20when the protuberance is nearest to the element 23 on the output member22a of the motor 22, i.e., when the protuberance assumes the angularposition which is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. This can be readily achievedin a number of ways, for example, by equipping the controls for themotor 22 with means for counting the number of convolutions of a web onthe core 21 and for transmitting a signal which can initiate retractionof the protuberance 19 from the operative position 19' when the numberof such convolutions reaches a preselected value. Moreover, suchcontrols can be provided with an optical or other suitable scanner whichmonitors the position of an index or marker on the flange 20 or on apart which rotates with the flange to thus ensure that the motor 22 isactually started and retracts the protuberance 19 when the latterassumes the twelve o'clock position of FIGS. 7 and 8.

The protuberance 19 is maintained in the extended position 19' duringattachment of the leader of a web to the core 21 in a manner which issubstantially identical with that described in connection with FIG. 1.When the protuberance 19 is withdrawn, the takeup reel including theflange 20 and core 21 is ready to collect the entire web in response torotation of the shaft 16 in a direction to wind the web onto the core21.

The peripheral surface 21D of the core 21 is preferably provided with asimple flat 21e which is parallel to the axis of the core 21 and isadjacent the opening 20a of the flange 20. The leader of a web need notbe moved laterally, first away from and thereupon toward the flange, inorder to enter the gap G, because the protuberance 19 is movablerelative to the core 21. The area of the flat 21e can be selected insuch a way that the protuberance 19 (in the extended or operativeposition 19') can be placed at a distance from the axis of the shaft 16less than the radius of the major portion of the peripheral surface 21D.This is desirable and advantageous because retraction of theprotuberance 19 into or rearwardly beyond the opening 20a of the flange20 necessitates the exertion of a lesser force and, in addition, eventhe innermost convolution of the web on the peripheral surface 21D ofthe core 21 can assume a truly cylindrical shape (because theprotuberance 19 does not cause the innermost convolution to form anoutwardly extending bulge).

If the peripheral surface 21D of the core 21 is provided with the flat21e, it must be mounted on the shaft 16 in a predetermined angularposition in which the flat 21e is immediately adjacent the protuberance19. It is possible to employ a core 21 which has a truly cylindricalperipheral surface (without a flat) if the controls for the motor 22 andthe slidability of various abutting surfaces relative to each other areselected with a view to ensure stoppage of the protuberance 19 in apredetermined angular position.

The flange 20 ma but need not be rigidly connected to or integral withthe core 21.

An advantage of the apparatus which employs the structure of FIGS. 7 and8 is that the takeup reels need not be provided with discreteprotuberances, i.e., a protuberance 19 which is mounted in the housing14 of the apparatus can cooperate with each of a series of successivelyemployed cores 21 and flanges 20. It can be said that the takeup reelwhich is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has two separable sections, namely afirst section including the core 21 and flange 20, and a second sectionincluding the protuberance 19. In addition the parts 20 and 21 of thefirst section can be separably connected to each other, i.e., each ofthese parts can be individually connected to and detached from the shaft16.

Another advantage of the takeup reel of FIGS. 7 and 8 is that the leaderof the web which is to be convoluted on the core 21 need not be shiftedlaterally, first away from and thereupon toward the flange 20. This willbe readily appreciated since the gap G is formed after the leader of aweb is already caused to extend substantially tangentially of the core21 (e.g., in very close or immediate proximity to the flat 21e inresponse to movement of the gripper 10 or 11 of FIG. 1 from thedischarge end 2a of the path 2 to the position which is shown in FIG. 1by solid lines). The core 21 is thereupon rotated so as to loop aportion of the leader of the web around the protuberance 19 (in theextended position 19') and to thus ensure that the leader is in adequatefrictional engagement with the peripheral surface 21D before the motor22 is caused to extract the protuberance 19 into or rearwardly beyondthe opening 20a of the flange 20 so that the protuberance cannotinterfere with the winding of a web onto the external surface of theentire outermost convolution on the core 21.

The operation of the apparatus which includes the structure of FIGS. 7and 8 is as follows:

When a fresh first section (20+21) of an empty takeup reel is properlymounted on one of the driving members 16 which are employed in theapparatus of FIG. 1, the motor 22 maintains the protuberance 19 in theretracted position but the angular position of the flange 20 is suchthat its opening 20a registers with the retracted protuberance 19. Ifthe core 21 has a flat 21e, such flat is immediately adjacent theopening 20a. The angular position of the core then corresponds to thatof the core 12 of the takeup reel 6 or to that of the core 12 of thetakeup reel 7 of FIG. 1 i.e., the flat 21e is parallel to and adjacentthe path of movement of the leader of a web 1 from the periphery of theidler roller 4 toward the gripper 10 or 11 in the illustrated positionof the arm 8 or 9 of FIG. 1. This ensures that, when the gripper 10 or11 is moved to the position of FIG. 1, the leader of the web abuts or isimmediately adjacent the flat 21e . The motor 22 is then actuated toextend the protuberance 19 whereby the surface 19a of the protuberanceslides over the leader of the web at the flat 21e and the flat defineswith the protuberance a gap G for the leader of the web. The shaft 16 isthen rotated to wind a portion of the leader of the web around theperipheral surface 21D. This results in the making of a loop whose bightreceives the protuberance 19. It normally suffices to form a relativelysmall number of convolutions around the peripheral surface 21D (e.g., asingle convolution) in order to ensure that the frictional engagementbetween the core 21 and the web suffices to prevent the core fromsliding in the innermost convolution of the web. The motor 22 withdrawsthe protuberance 19 into or rearwardly beyond the opening 20a of theflange when the core 21 can no longer turn relative to the convolutedportion of the web, and the winding of such web onto the core 21 thenproceeds at a rate which is determined by the speed of the copyingmachine, i.e., by the speed of movement of the web along its path 2.

FIG. 9 and 10 show a portion of an apparatus which employs modifiedtakeup reels and a retractable protuberance 27a. The takeup reel whichis shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 comprises a single flange 20' and a core 12'.The driving member for the core 12' is a horizontal shaft 16 which isdriven in synchronism with the advancing means (75) for the webs and isseparably coupled to the core 12' so that it can transmit torquethereto. The protuberance 27a forms part of or is attached to a lever 27which is carried by the flange 20'. The latter has an opening 20a', forthe lever 27 and such opening is configurated and dimensioned to permitthe lever to move in a plane extending substantially tangentially of thecore 12'. The peripheral surface 12D' of the core 12' has a recess ornotch 12d' bounded by two mutually inclined surfaces 12dd and 12dd'which make an angle of approximately 120°. When the core 12' assumes thestarting position of FIG. 9, the surface 12dd in the recess or notch12d' is parallel to the path of movement of the lever 27 substantiallytangentially of the core. The lever 27 is pivotable in such plane underthe action or against the opposition of a torsion spring 128 on abearing 28 for the pivot member 127 of the lever 27. The pivot member127 is movable axially relative to the bearing 28 so that the lever 27can be shifted from the solid-line (retracted) position to thebroken-line intermediate position 27' and thence to the broken-linesecond position 27". The bearing 28 has an extension 228 which isreciprocable in a second bearing 29 at the rear side of the flange 20'.A coil spring 29a operates between the bearings 28 and 29 to urge thebearing 28 from the position 28' to the solid-line position of FIG. 9. Apin and slot connection is provided between the extension 228 and thebearing 29 to prevent rotation of the bearing 28 about the axis of theextension 228. When the lever 27 assumes the position 27' or 27", itextends substantially at right angles to the plane of the flange 20'.When in the position 27", the lever 27 urges its protuberance 27aagainst the leader of a web so that such leader is pinched between theprotuberance 27a and the surface 12dd' in or close to the deepmostportion of the recess or notch 12d' in the peripheral surface 12D' ofthe core 12'.

The means for pivoting the lever 27 about the axis of its pivot member127 includes a bell crank 25 which is fulcrumed on the flange 20' andhas a first protuberance 27a and a second arm carrying a roller follower26 which serves to track the peripheral surface of a disc cam 24 on thedriving member 16. The cam 24 can rotate on the driving member 16 andhas a radially outwardly extending tooth-shaped projection 24aengageable by a mobile stop 32 which can be reciprocated by a motor 31having a stationary housing member affixed to the frame or housing 14.

The mode of operation of the apparatus embodying the structure of FIGS.9 and 10 is as follows:

When the core 12' of the takeup reel is properly mounted on the flange20', a notch in its peripheral surface receives a locating pin 30 of theflange. The gripper 10 or 11 of FIG. 1 then advances the leader of theweb from the discharge end 2a of the path 2 so that the leader overliesthe notch 12d' while the lever 27 is held in the retracted positionwhich is indicated in FIG. 10 by solid lines. The flange 20' is then setin rotary motion by the driving member 16 which turns the cam 24. Themotor 31 shifts the mobile stop 32 so that the latter extends into thepath of movement of the projection 24a and arrests the cam 24 in apredetermined angular position to thus ensure predictable pivoting ofthe bell crank 25 (and hence of the lever 27) as the cam 24 is arrestedbut the bell crank 25 and its follower 26 continue to turn with theflange 20'. The flange 20' rotates counterclockwise, as seen in FIG. 9,and the follower 26 begins to track a lobe 24b of the cam 24 so that thebell crank 25 turns clockwise relative to the flange 20 and its lug 25apivots the lever 27 through the medium of the protuberance 27a so thatthe lever moves from the solid-line position to the broken-line position27' of FIG. 10. This places the lever 27 adjacent the web and, as theflange 20' continues to rotate, the web is looped around the lever 27.Additional rotation of the flange 20' in a counterclockwise directioncauses the web to form a loop with a bight which receives the lever 27.Furthermore, the web urges the lever 27 toward the deepmost portion ofthe notch 12d' in the peripheral surface 12D' of the core 12' so thatthe bight of the web is pinched against the surface 12dd' bounding aportion of the notch 12d'. The follower 26 then advances beyond the lobe24b of the cam 24 (which is held by the mobile stop 32 so that it cannotrotate with the driving member 16) and the lug 25a of the bell crank 25moves away from the protuberance 27a of the lever 27. Nevertheless, thelever 27 cannot at such time return from the position 27" to thesolid-line position of FIG. 10 because it is held by the convoluted web.The motor 31 then retracts the stop 32 so that the cam 24 is free torotate with the driving member 16. Such retraction of the stop 32 takesplace when the frictional engagement between the convoluted portion ofthe web and the core 12' suffices to ensure that the core cannot turn inthe innermost convolution of the web.

When the winding of the entire web onto the core 12' is completed, theflange 20', the core 12' and the roll of convoluted web on the core 12'are removed from the housing 14 as a unit to be replaced with a freshflange 20' and an empty core 12' thereon. The lever 27 (in the position27") cannot interfere with detachment of the flange 20' and core 12'from the housing 14. The depth of the notch 12d' is preferably such thatthe convoluted web does not apply to the lever 27 any appreciable forceswhich would generate excessive friction and would cause the lever tostrongly oppose detachment of the flange 20'. In order to furtherfacilitate detachment of a loaded core 12' and its flange 20' from thehousing 14, the protuberance 27a of the lever 27 can include orconstitute a roller so that such roller rolls along the web in responseto separation of the flange 20' and core 12' from the driving member 16.The springs 29a and 128 thereupon return the lever 27 to the solid-lineposition of FIG. 9.

The apparatus which embodies the structure of FIGS. 9 and 10 can bemodified in a number of ways without departing from the spirit of theinvention. For example, the lever 27 or an equivalent member can bemounted for movement substantially radially of the core 12' and the thusmodified apparatus can comprise detent means for releasably holding thelever (e.g., by snap action) in its operative and inoperative positions.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic and specific aspects of theaforedescribed contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptationsshould and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and rangeof equivalence of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for storing elongated flexible webs inconvoluted condition, particularly for storing webs which contain aphotosensitive material and have leaders, comprising means for advancingsuccessive webs along a predetermined path having a discharge end sothat the leaders of such webs assume predetermined positions at thedischarge end of said path; at least one rotary driving member adjacentsaid discharge end; means for driving and separably coupling said rotarydriving member with a takeup reel, the takeup reel comprising acylindrical core having a first end, a second end, and a peripheralsurface; a protuberance mounted at a predetermined location adjacentsaid rotary driving member; means for moving said protuberance withrespect to the core of the takeup reel which is coupled to said at leastone driving member between a first position in which said protuberanceis adjacent to the peripheral surface of the core and defines therewitha gap and at least one second position in which said protuberance isremote from the peripheral surface of the core, the takeup reel beingdetachable from said at least one driving member and separable from saidprotuberance; and means for transferring the leader of the web from saiddischarge end of said path to a position against the peripheral surfaceof the core of the takeup reel which is coupled to said at least onedriving member so that, upon movement of said protuberance; and meansfor transferring the leader of the web from said discharge end of saidpath to a position against the peripheral surface of the core of thetakeup reel which is coupled to said at least one driving member sothat, upon movement of said protuberance to said first position, theleader of the web being located in said gap, whereby rotation of saidrotary driving member causes the web to be wound over said protuberanceand convoluted onto the peripheral surface of the core of the reel whichis coupled to said at least one driving member.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein, in the first position thereof, said protuberanceextends from said second end toward said first end of the core of thereel which is coupled to said at least one driving member a distanceexceeding one-fourth of the distance between said first and second ends.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said takeup reel comprises aradially extending flange at the second end thereof which contacts oneedge of the leader of the web, and further comprising guide means forthe web, said guide means being disposed between said discharge end andsaid rotary driving member and including an idler roller having alongitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the takeup reelwhich is coupled to said at least one driving member, the idler rollerhaving a first end, a radially extending collar at the first endthereof, and a second end, the collar of the idler roller beingengageable with the opposite side of said leader.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 for storing a web, wherein the web has a predetermined width,and said collar extends radially beyond said roller a distance which isapproximately one-third of said predetermined width.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said moving means comprises means for moving saidprotuberance to said first position subsequent to transfer of the leaderof the web from said discharge end against the peripheral surface of thecore of the reel which is coupled to said at least one driving member.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said takeup reel comprises aradially extending flange at the second end thereof, and an openingthrough said flange, and said moving means is arranged to move saidprotuberance through the opening of the flange of the reel which iscoupled to said at least one driving member during movement of theprotuberance between said first and second positions.
 7. The apparatusof claim 5, wherein said moving means includes a sleeve-like elementmounted on and movable axially of said at least one driving member, saidprotuberance being movable with said sleeve-like element and said movingmeans further comprising means for shifting said sleeve-like elementaxially of said driving member.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereinsaid shifting means comprises a double-acting fluid-operated motor. 9.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said shifting means includes a secondelement and means for reciprocating said second element in substantialparallelism with the axis of said driving member, one of saidsleeve-like element and said second element having a circumferentialgroove and the other of said sleeve-like element and said second elementhaving a follower extending into said groove, said groove and saidfollower comprising means for transmitting reciprocating movement ofsaid rotation of said sleeve-like element.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said protuberance includes a portion in contact with the webwhich is being convoluted around said core, said portion of saidprotuberance having a high coefficient of friction.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said protuberance has a web guiding surface confrontingsaid gap in the first position of said protuberance.
 12. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein said protuberance has a convex surface facing awayfrom said gap in the first position of said protuberance.